LAS VEGAS—Watermark ID, the custom division of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Watermark Designs, recently unveiled its Luxury Shower System (LSS) for the first time. The fully customizable “smart” LSS “showers” users with a personalized experience by offering features such as: a full-color digital touch screen; flush mounted screen with thin 1/8-inch frame; a thermostatic valve that controls up to four shower outlets; ability to control shower lights; connection to any audio device with headphone jack; and nine programmable preset shower scenarios that allow users to set the user’s name, water temperature, water outlets, speaker volume, lights on/off, water consumption timer or...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—For Earth Day this year Choice Hotels International issued a press release that included an update on its more than two-year-old Room to Be Green program (see article). Room to Be Green is an optional program for Choice licensees that gives them an opportunity to receive marketing recognition—a green leaf icon—on the Choice website based on their commitment to implement at least three green programs at their properties in the areas of energy conservation, water conservation, and recycling. Green Lodging News recently spoke with Christopher Schrader, project director of brand programs for Choice, to get more details...

NASHVILLE—Gaylord Opryland Resort and The Land Trust for Tennessee announced a partnership aimed at reducing energy and water consumption while promoting the conservation of land in the local community. As part of the company’s towel reuse program “Choose to Reuse,” Opryland has made a donation to The Land Trust for Tennessee to support implementation of Nashville’s Open Space Plan. “Choose to Reuse” builds on Gaylord’s recently announced corporate sustainability program, GET Green. GET Green, which is designed to integrate within the overall business strategy, focuses on reducing Gaylord’s impact on the environment while improving its interactions with all of its...

DENVER—The Westin Denver Downtown was recently honored by Host Hotels & Resorts with a sustainability award recognizing the hotel for a tradition of commitment to environmental responsibility. The hotel’s associates have made numerous commitments to reducing impact to the environment such as partnering with a company on a compost program; establishing an online in-room dining menu and guest directory; moving from Styrofoam and plastics to soy or corn-based packaging for to-go/box meals; and recycling in all 430 guestrooms, public and back-of-the-house space. The latest sustainability initiative is providing biodegradable wooden key cards to all hotel guests. “As climate change has...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently released the highly programmable Logi Pro Control, now available on the 20-pound capacity E-Series Washers and the complete line-up of M-Series Washer-Extractors. The new Logi Pro Control offers up to 25 individually modifiable programs—each with up to 11 baths, including multiple pre-wash, wash and rinse phases. “The Logi Pro delivers superior control over the wash process,” said Joel Jorgensen, Continental Girbau’s vice president of sales and customer services. “It’s designed to improve productivity and efficiency at a wide array of on-premise laundries. The Logi Pro offers precise control over wash variables to ensure optimum efficiency...

MORROW, GA.—TOTO announces its new Ultra high-efficiency Urinal. Using one pint (.125 gallons) of water per flush equates to a savings of 75 percent more water than a traditional one gallon per flush unit or approximately 30,000 gallons per year. TOTO also introduces its EcoPower Exposed Flush Valve. These new additions to TOTO’s high-performance, high-efficiency line of premium commercial plumbing products offer building owners and facility managers new ways to save water, reduce their sewage bills, and contribute to LEED point calculations on both new construction and renovation. TOTO’s new one-pint urinal does not sacrifice design or performance. With its clean...

LAS VEGAS—A new line of commercial hands-free, dual flush toilet valves from American Standard automatically adjust flush volume, thereby consuming 20 percent less water than standard toilets. The Selectronic dual flush toilet valve releases a light flush, or 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf), when motion is detected for less than 60 seconds. A standard 1.6 gpf volume is used when motion is detected for 60 seconds or longer. The Selectronic line was developed to simplify specification and installation, while reducing maintenance time. The same watertight miniature sensor—and wireless program controller—works for all Selectronic fittings on faucets, flush valves and urinals...

DALLAS—The Omni Dallas Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Dallas, has outlined its sustainability plan which will lead to the property’s LEED Silver New Construction (NC) certification upon opening. The plan includes use of recycled and regionally-sourced materials, reduced construction pollution and water conservation initiatives. “Earning the LEED Silver New Construction status will be a tremendous accomplishment—one made possible by the tremendous efforts of the City, Matthews Southwest, Balfour/Russell/Pegasus, 5Gstudio_collaborative, BOKA Powell, Vivian-Nichols Associates and every team member who has a hand in keeping the project focused on sustainability,” said Nils Stolzlechner, general manager of the Omni Dallas Hotel....

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman Company will be exhibiting at the upcoming Kitchen and Bath Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, April 26 to 28 (Booth C4589). During the expo Speakman will be showcasing the latest additions to its showerhead line. Shower introductions include the new product line which prominently features the Anystream 360 degree spray technology. Developed by Speakman’s engineering team, Anystream 360 spray technology allows Speakman Anystream showerheads to achieve a 360 degree rotation to the spray adjusting mechanism (handle or faceplate). This adjustability allows the user to make small incremental adjustments to the spray of the showerhead and...

SHANGHAI, CHINA—URBN Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership with sustainable water experts, Environtech (an operating brand of Hallmark Environmental Technologies, Inc). The two companies have joined forces on a project which will bring clean, pure, potable tap water to all of URBN’s three food and beverage outlets at the URBN Hotel in Shanghai, including their new restaurant Downstairs with David Laris. Environtech will provide the URBN Hotel with an on-site Re:Water water recycling system, which will increase the quality of water to meet or exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards. For the restaurant, this means all food...